Following a hit and run Thursday evening that resulted in the fatality of a woman whose identity was not determined by press time, Hudson County Sheriff Frank X. Schillari is asking anyone with information to please step forward.

Sheriff’s officers spotted the victim near the South bound lanes of $1 &9 near Duncan Avenue in Jersey City at about 6:45 p.m.

"At this time we are utilizing every avenue available to us but we are asking for help from the public and the media," said Sheriff Schillari. "Anyone with information to the accident or who may have been in the area, please contact the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office at 201-915-1300.”

All calls regarding this matter will remain anonymous.

National Dental Health Month observed at PS 6

On Feb. 7 Horizon NJ Health teamed up with PS 6 Jotham Wakeman Elementary School in Jersey City to raise awareness about dental health for children by holding an elementary school educational program and on-site dental screenings.

“It’s our intention and hope that our on-site dental screenings and classroom education program will help engage students and their parents/guardians to take a more active role in their dental care,” said Dr. Fred DiOrio, Dental Director, Horizon NJ Health.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and is anchored by the American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile program, in which kids without dental insurance get free dental care for one day.

Suit says Jersey City Board of Education infringed rights of public

The Legal Department for the Jersey City Board of Education said it would not comment on a suit filed in civil court on Feb. 19 claiming the board violated the Open Public Meetings Act when it voted to limit public speaking at meetings.

The Open Public Meetings Act, also known as OPMA or the Sunshine Law, protects “the right of the public to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of public bodies” such as the Jersey City Board of Education. The law, enacted in 1975, also provides that “adequate notice” be given to the public about meetings and that agenda and minutes of meetings be promptly made available to the public.

The board voted at its January meetings that limited the time members of the public could speak at meetings.

The suit contends that the board failed to give adequate notice of the change to allow public participation in the change of policy and failed to provide minutes of the meetings at which the board made the changes.

The suit alleged that board members or the school administration had met in secret at some point prior to the vote to discuss the change.

Mayor Steven Fulop issued a release blasting the Jersey City Board of Education for its recent decision to significantly limit the public speaking portions at its meetings and halting the video recording and broadcast of those comments.

“Our residents deserve the opportunity to speak on all matters that their elected officials are debating and voting on and that goes for the Board of Education as well as the municipal government,” said Fulop. “I have always advocated for open and transparent government and we should be finding ways to make the process more transparent, not less.”

In January, the Board voted to limit speakers to speaking only once at the public meetings. Previously, speakers could speak on specific agenda items as well as during a public speaking session. The Board of Education has also stopped videotaping and therefore broadcasting the meetings on JC1TV, which, for some residents who cannot attend the meetings, is the only way they can hear the public portion.

“When I was a councilman, we advocated for the City Council meetings to be taped and aired on Channel One because previously they had not been,” said Fulop. “I am disappointed that the Board of Education is taking this step backwards. They were elected on a promise of transparency and should respect the wishes of their constituents.”

The change also requires any public speakers to notify public school officials at least one day prior if they want to make general comments or speak on an agenda item.

Fulop will give State of the City address

Mayor Steven Fulop will give his first State of the City address at 6 p.m., Feb. 27 at Saint Peter's University, Mac Mahon Student Center in Jersey City. Addresses of this kind usually highlight where the city is on a number of levels including areas such as development, city projects, and planned objectives for the future.

Hate crime film to be screened at NJCU

A screening of the film “Hate Crimes in the Heartland” with discussion and reception will be held on Wednesday Feb. 26 at New Jersey City University Lee Hagan Center, Margaret Williams Theater, 2039 Kennedy Blvd. in Jersey City. The event is free, but registration is encouraged. The screening will be at 5:45 p.m. with discussion at 6:45 p.m. and reception at 7:30 p.m. RSVP at www.hchnewjerseyscreening.eventbrite.com

The plan includes the redevelopment of the Central Terminal Building at LaGuardia Airport; the raising of the Bayonne Bridge to ensure the long-term viability of the region’s port; the extension of PATH to Newark Liberty International Airport, giving travelers a one-seat ride from Lower Manhattan to the airport, the replacement of the Goethals Bridge with a state of the art bridge that will speed travel across the span and improve safety; an upgraded PATH signal system that will result in more reliable train service and fewer delays; and the reconstruction of the Lincoln Tunnel Helix.

Hudson County freeholders mark Black History Month

The Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders designated February 2014 as Black History Month. Black History Month is traditionally celebrated during the month of February, containing Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and Frederick Douglass’s birthday, and dates back to February 1926 when it was launched by Dr. Carter G. Woodson.

Black History Month is a period to recognize the special achievements and contributions of African-Americans to the United States, the State of New Jersey, the County of Hudson and all the municipalities of Hudson County.

The County of Hudson recognizes the significant contribution and advances that African-Americans have made and continue to make in areas such as science, education, medicine, art, culture, public service, economic development, politics and human rights.

The Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders are encouraging all residents of Hudson County to celebrate Black History Month with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs that raise awareness and appreciation of African-American history and to recognize the many contributions made by African-Americans to our nation, state, county and municipalities.

Federal funding to improve schools

U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker announced this week that the State of New Jersey will receive $9,485,864 from the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) School Improvement Grants (SIG) program. The funding will help turn around the Garden State’s most chronically underachieving schools by giving educators the resources they need to strive for excellence.

“Education is the key that unlocks a child’s future,” said Sen. Menendez. “It gives them the foundation to succeed in life and pursue their dreams. When federal resources like these are used for improving young people’s classroom experiences, they restore hope and opportunity for New Jersey students who are helplessly trapped in failing schools. We owe it to every child and their families.”

New Jersey is among nine states that will share more than $71 million from this latest round of SIG awards. According to DOE, local school districts that demonstrate the greatest need for the funds and the strongest commitment to provide the necessary resources to substantially raise student achievement in their lowest-performing schools can apply for sub grants through the State.

Waterfront Montessori hosts ‘Montessori Madman’ Petter-Lipstein

Waterfront Montessori and The Waterfront School Foundation will host guest speaker and

Petter-Lipstein has advocated for the power and potential of Montessori education in settings ranging from Montessori schools to the Montessori Administrators Association summer retreat to NBC News’ recent Education Nation summit. He created and produced the Montessori animated video “Superwoman Was Already Here,” which was featured in the Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic magazine.

This parent education event is hosted by The Waterfront School Foundation, the parents’ organization of Waterfront Montessori. The mission of the Waterfront School Foundation is to enhance the educational and social development of its students by providing additional resources and opportunities that help foster their academic development and social engagement within the community. Suggested donation at the door is $5 and seating is limited. To register, please visit www.waterfrontmontessori.com. This event is for adults only.

Waterfront Montessori, now in its tenth school year, is an independent toddler through eighth grade Montessori school in Jersey City offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for grades six through eight. For information about Waterfront Montessori, please call 201.333.5600 or send an email to: info@waterfrontmontessori.com.